The District of Taylor has approved a new Official Community Plan (OCP) that outlines its long-term vision and reflects on its past.
This mandatory municipal document outlines the district of Taylor’s values, history, and long-term vision. In B.C., communities are required to produce updated plans every five years, after hearing from the public. Taylor’s current plan was last updated in 2014, according to district staff.
Since the over-decade-old document was written, the district, and its understanding of the needs of its residents, has evolved. Adding more shops, forming new partnerships with other local governments, and fostering a healthy and friendly community were identified as key elements by staff.
“(The plan focuses on) preserving the small-town community feel that attracts residents to the community,” staff wrote in the finalized version. They received 71 responses to their earlier drafts and revised to reflect the needs identified by residents.
“While Taylor’s growth has previously been largely dependent on the resource industry, looking forward, Taylor seeks to be a desirable community with a range of commercial services.”
The document projects modest population growth over the next 15 years. The most conservative estimate anticipates a 0.25 per cent annual increase, while the most optimistic scenario projects 1.25 per cent. By 2040, the population is expected to grow by between 59 and 258 residents.
“Based on the current average household size in Taylor and housing types from the 2021 Census, Taylor would require between 25-146 housing units to meet a 20-year demand based on the population projections,” the OCP reads. Specifically, staff identified a lack of variety in rental opportunities and a potential shortage in senior housing
Accessibility, with seniors in mind, was also touched on. The district said they will print signs in larger, easy-to-read, fonts, create a “Senior’s Portal,” and discuss winter plow plans with them.
The OCP also discusses Taylor council’s goals for its Indigenous relationships. The district operates on the traditional territory of Treaty 8. An element of this section of plan included officially codifying a land acknowledgement policy, which also passed during Monday’s meeting.
An annual review of the council and staff’s progress on the plan is mandated with its implementation.
